Perhaps Rep. Mikey Arroyo is better off focusing on his fledgling career instead of continuing as a lawmaker - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed strong agreement with Sen. Richard Gordon and his suggestion that Reps. Mikey Macapagal-Arroyo and Iggy Arroyo should resign in the light of the shocking jueteng controversy in which they are being implicated.

Beltran said that the two accused representatives, as close relatives of the president of the republic, have been consistently in the limelight not so much because they have shown exemplary prowess in the legislative arena, "But mostly because both of them have been implicated in various corruption scandals."

"Neither relative of the president has shown that they are legislators to reckon with, neither promoting pro-people legislation or rulings nor taking definitive stands on issues confronting the Filipino people's economic and political welfare. The fame they possess is largely due to the fact that they are relatives of the executive; this apart from being implicated in some of the biggest scandals that have rocked the administration," he said.

"Perhaps Rep. Mikey Arroyo would be better off focusing on his fledgling movie career. He should resign now he could focus more on promoting his movies." Beltran said that the Arroyo scion has a movie coming out with Ms. Ethel Booba, titled "Sablay ka na, pasaway ka pa" under Cine Suerte pictures.

Beltran said that Rep. Iggy Arroyo's previous admission that he is the notorious "Jose Pidal" who owns the questionable bank accounts of allegedly laundered money has already tainted his credibility.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that the two aforementioned solons were also adding to the less-than-pristine reputation of Congress. "Many Filipinos already think that Congress is an institution housing the most corrupt and disreputable politicians in the country; the two solons should resign as they have lost all credibility as Congressmen and their constant denials of involvement in jueteng do not convince anyone any."

Beltran said that even as he believes that the jueteng investigations were bearing fruit in the sense that the revelations are being made, he was skeptical of the chances that anyone - particularly the Arroyos-will be indicted. "For all the strong words laid down by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she supports the investigations and that the law should favor no one, not even her own relatives, it's not likely that she will allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to proceed with the laying down of charges against members of the First Family."

He also said that the testimony of jueteng 'bag lady' Sandra Cam against the two Arroyos should not be dismissed lightly. "The woman has come forward at the risk of her own life and safety given that she's accusing the close relatives of the highest official in the land. Her testimony is so far the most damning and telling, and appears to be credible. She has not even made excuses for her involvement in jueteng."#